Tail set and hair protector



Nov. 1, 1949 J. M. WALKER 2,487,005

TAIL SET AND HAIR PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 12, 1948 INVENTOR JOHN M. WALKER.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAIL SET AND HAIR PROTECTOR John M. Walker, Muncie, Ind.

Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,560

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in equipment for use in that phase of the development of the show horse wherein is involved the setting of the dock, and also is involved the care and conservation of the hair, of the tail.

Equal in importance of the poising and contouring of the dock, is the care of the hair portion of the tail. Whereas by the use of the well known tail set, the supporting of the dock in desirably raised position has been accomplished, there has long been the need of means adapted to function in connection with the tail set so that the hair portion of the tail may be protected against dust and dirt, and may be shielded from contact with objects liable to injure same.

To provide a protector device designed to fulfill the above named need is the object, broadly stated, of my invention. The said general object, as well as other and certain specific aims presently to be referred to, are accomplished by, and my invention is contained in the new construction, combination and arrangement of parts described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tail set, typical of form and structure, and in connection with which my invention is designed to function.

Figure 2 is an end view of said tail set, in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of said tail set, in the direction of arrow 3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of my new protector device, designed as applicable in connection with said tail set to provide a receptacle within which the hair portion of the tail may be received and contained. 7

Figure 5 is a side view indicating the appearance of the protector device when applied and in readiness to be fastened to the tail set, the channel portion of said tail set being shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 6 is a side view of the combined protector device and tail set installed in operative position.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrative of a typical harness for holding the tail set in position.

The conventional tail set shown herein consists of a stout channel structure ll, tapered in plan formation, concave in cross section, and having spaced external ribs l2 and it. Its outer end is flared and embodies rounded flange M.

.The internal surface of said structure is lined with a substantial and soft material, as felting l6. At spaced position adjacent the underside of said channel structure a longitudinal rod or wire IT is supported b the ribs I2 and 13.

Integrated with the opposite sides of the inner end portion of said channel structure, are similar elongated pads l8 and i9 which are provided at their lower ends with fittings, as rings 20, and at their upper ends with fittings, as straps 2| Mynew. protector device, designed and arranged for attachment to, and to function in connection with the said tail set, comprises a bag like receptacle 23 made of a substantial textile material as a muslin or netting. In hem 24 of the mouth of said bag is a draw tape with elongated portions 26.

Upon the inner face of the mouth rim of said bag, and at a location coincident with the opening 2! in said hem 24 through which the tapes 26 are passed, is an apron 28 made of textile material, and of form and proportions as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 4, and which will presently be referred to.

At the opposite side of said mouth rim 25, a flexible fillet 30 made of strong soft fabric, as canton flannel, is secured at its inner end. It is of width to lie within the channel of said tail set, and it is of length predeterminately longer than said channel. Extending from the opposite sides of the free end of said fillet are tapes 3|.

Combining my new protector device with the said tail set consists in disposing the fillet in the channel of the tail set (see Figure 5), the mouth of the bag being positioned adjacent to the flange l4 of the tail set. The inner or free end portion of the fillet is then brought about the inner end of and underneath the channel and thence up to engagement with the underside of the channel (see Figure 6) whence the tapes 3| are drawn around and about the median portions of the opposed pads l8 and I9, thence athwart the underside of the channel structure whence they are tied together. Thus the fillet while having been fastened in position attached to the tail set, is capable of being removed therefrom. The said fillet lying, as it does, in the channel, constitutes a means for the support pendulously of the bag at a location suitably adjacent to the flange of the outer end of the tail set, as indicated in Figure 6.

The invention installed appears as in Figure 6, the tail set having been placed in position on the horse, the dock portion of the tail resting on the fillet within the channel and the bag depending from. the flange of the outer end p01- tion of the channel of the tail set. The straps indicated diagrammatically in Figure 7, and which are connected to the fittings 20 and 2| are a part of conventional tail set harness. Seating and staying of the dock in said channel is practiced in the usual manner, namely, by applying bands or wrappings (not shown) which are brought about and over the dock and said channel structure, and their ends fastened, as by suitable connections to the member IT.

The bag combined with the tail "set and pendulously supported thereby, as above described, while not impeding the usual transactions which are incident to grooming, is in readiness ito re-- ceive the hair portion of the tail at such time as may suit the convenience of the keeper -or groomsman. In the transactional said hair in the receptacle, the hair portion of the tail is simply loosely coiled or folded in aloosely gathered mass and is passed through the mouth and .into the confines pf the %bag. Apron 28 is then folded "outwardly whence it storms a :fender to prevent the :hair of the shorter or :upper strands of the tail from interfering with the arranging of the tapes 526. The .mouth of the bag is thengathered to closed engagement with the dock, the tapes 26 being brought :about and tied together conveniently at location underneath said apron. The hair contained within the bag, while loose and free, is protected from-dirt, foreign particles, and storm; issmaintained hrrcl'ean and sanitary condition, and is :shielded against contact with objects liable to injure same. thesame time, the devicezis capable of being-easi-ly removed for cleansing and replacement. The fillet being adaptable, as it to :being rolled uponitselfat its free :end, inconiormity with the length of the channel of the tail .set, Mme ade- :said aba :andaadapted to be lain in the channel of a tail set, a draw tape in the mouth of said bag and-'"having extended end portions, and op- ,posed tapesextending from the free end of said fillet.

JAitail set attachment consisting of a bag, a fillet extending from ia side of the mouth of said bag, and adapted to be lain in the channel ofa tail set, a draw tape in the mouthof said bag and having :extensions, .a flap at the inner iace ofzsaidmzlouth operable to position externally of said mouth at the location where the tape extensions :pass through the mouth 10f said bag, and opposed tapes "extending from :the .free end of said fillet.

JOHN ;M. WALKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of "this patent:

UNITED STATES BA IXENTS Number *Name Date D. 31,285 McClellan July 25,-'-1899 1361, 846 Osgood i ipr. 9, 1918 

